Powell Valley Healthcare is still working to find a new CEO and now plans to choose one early in the new year.

The hospital will decide between three finalists, all of whom were or will be brought in for in-person interviews.

PVHC Human Resources Director Cassie Tinsley declined to name the candidates, explaining that they all are currently employed at other organizations. Tinsley did say that all three have previous experience at critical access hospitals and have worked in health care for extensive periods of time. All three are also from the Rocky Mountain West.

The PVHC Board of Directors initially planned to select a new CEO at its December meeting, but board president R.J. Kost said the holiday season left not enough time to finish the important task until the new year. Instead, Kost said the final interview will be Dec. 16 with a vote planned the annual board meeting on Jan. 9.

CEO Terry Odom announced last summer she would be retiring in the first quarter of 2023, with plans to help with the onboarding of a new CEO.

Tinsley said at a prior meeting that 16 candidates applied for the position, which she said was a good pool of candidates. After a prescreening of the candidates by Billings Clinic, virtual interviews with the screened candidates occurred before the finalists were decided on and brought in. 

Powell has some competition for filling the spot, as Hot Springs Health in Thermopolis and Three Rivers Health in Basin are also looking for new CEOs.